NFL: DUEL IN THE DESERT IN WEEK 12
The New York Giants may be the best team in football but they have quite the challenge on their hands this week at the desert-hot Arizona Cardinals.
These teams are a combined 16-4 straight-up and 15-5 ATS, so it makes sense that it’s a close spread with the Giants three-point favorites. The early betting for this game is a little surprising with 95% backing New York.
Note this is one of the many Week 12 early odds you can find at Sportsbook.com.
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The Thursday night game features the Pittsburgh Steelers giving 10 ½-points at home to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers haven’t covered in their last four home games but 55% of early bettors still like them against their AFC North rivals.
The Brady Quinn era has started in Cleveland and that seems to have rejuvenated the franchise. The Browns are three-point home favorites over the Houston Texans who have dropped three straight games.
The Buffalo Bills have dropped four games in a row straight up and ATS but 78% of early bettors still like them giving three-points at Kansas City. That’s what happens when you face a team that has won once all season.
The best game in the AFC is the Tennessee Titans as five-point home favorites over the New York Jets. The Titans are 9-1 ATS this season, but the Jets are hot, having won four straight and 65% think the point spread is too high.
The Miami Dolphins have come a long way this season and that is evident by the fact they’re two-point home chalk over the New England Patriots. The Dolphins already beat the Pats on the road, but only a paltry 4% think Miami is a good value as a favorite.
The Dallas Cowboys got a win at Washington last week with the return of quarterback Tony Romo. Dallas is now big 10 ½-point favorites over an improving San Francisco 49ers team. So far, 93% of early bettors are taking the 49ers and the points.
The Detroit Lions are winless at 0-10 but they were much more competitive at Carolina last week. The Lions are getting 8 ½-points at home over a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that is inconsistent on the road. Exactly 50% are backing the Lions.
The Baltimore Ravens are giving 1 ½-points at home to the Philadelphia Eagles and 73% like their chances. This is expected to be a low scoring defensive affair and each team badly needs a win if they hope to make the playoffs.
The Chicago Bears lost by 34 points last week at Green Bay but they’re giving nine-points at St. Louis. The Rams are in total disarray and have lost their last three games by an average margin of almost 25 points, and only 29% are backing them.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are giving 2 ½-points at home to the Minnesota Vikings even though they are 1-4 straight-up and 0-5 ATS at home. However, the Vikings are just 1-4 on the road this year and that’s why just 15% of early bettors are taking them.
The Atlanta Falcons overachieved all year before losing at home to Denver last week. The Falcons are slim one-point home favorites over the division leading Carolina Panthers, but 68% like the underdog in this one.
Another large spread this week is the Denver Broncos 9 ½-point chalk at home against the Oakland Raiders. There is no love lost between these two, and Denver hasn’t covered a home game all year, but 64% of the early bettors still like them.
The Washington Redskins have lost four straight home games, so it’s a good thing they’re heading all the way West to face the Seattle Seahawks. The Skins are 3 ½-point chalk and 98% of bettors look for them to get healthy on the road.
The Sunday night game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers looked a lot better before the season began, but injuries and inconsistent play have affected both teams. The Chargers are 2 ½-point favorites but 53% like the visitors.
The New Orleans Saints haven’t played a home game in over a month, but they’re 2 ½-point home favorites on Monday Night Football over the Green Bay Packers. Only 5% like the Saints in this game which is somewhat surprising.
